The Editors
Articles by The Editors
Localist Roundup: Localism vs. Climate Change
In political news, Congress continues its attempt to restrict NSA bulk data collection. At the same time, this article describes Facebook's hopes to use phone microphones for data collection of…
Who Owns America?
In The American Conservative, Ralph Nader, paladin of the American anti-monopolist tradition, revives the great distributist-agrarian project of the 1930s.
When Your Way of Life is Out of Date
“…your whole way of life is out of date when compared with theirs. And it is just as true in politics as it is in any art or craft: new…
Localist Roundup: Thomas Piketty
In recent news, an E. coil scare has caused a massive beef recall in New England. Also, this story reports on Wal-Mart's recent successes in online retail. This piece offers…
Thoughts on a Graduation Weekend
“We have a world bursting with new ideas, new plans, and new hopes. The world was never so young as it is today, so impatient of old and crusty things.” …
Localist Roundup: Pubs and Honeybees
This article reports on the efforts of one English group to prevent a local pub from becoming a supermarket. Meanwhile, The Atlantic offers a lengthy perspective on the GMO labeling…
Happy St. Isidore’s Day
In “The Gift of Good Land,” Wendell Berry notes, with a tinge of regret, the largely heroic nature of the stories recorded in the Bible. “It may, in some ways,…
Good-byes are Just That
They’re good. At least when we make an effort to do them right. I’m convinced after years of saying goodbye to my students—and others—that proper goodbyes are not only good,…
Localist Roundup: Trust in State Government
A change in livestock rules in the State of Michigan could cause trouble for some small farmers. At the same time, this piece reports on how small farmers have capitalized…
Localist Roundup: Heat-Resistant Chickens?
In political news, the House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill to restrain NSA surveillance. Meanwhile, according to this piece, scientists are attempting to create heat-proof farm animals. And in…
Piketty’s Challenge: A Past That Consumes the Future
But the rate of profit does not, like rent and wages, rise with the prosperity, and fall with the declension of the society. On the contrary, it is naturally low…
Half Edward Abbey, Half George Grant, All Natural
[Cross-posted to In Medias Res] Farley Mowat has died. Long before I knew anything about alternatives to the late-20th-century American way of life, long before I considered myself an environmentalist…
The Enemy of My Lawn?
I was shopping at Lowes last weekend, and something caught my eye. From the contents of the seasonal aisle it seems that Lowes is expecting a large number of people…
First Dandelions of the Year Today!
Dear common flower, that grow'st beside the way, Fringing the dusty road with harmless gold, First pledge of blithesome May, Which children pluck, and, full of pride uphold, High-hearted buccaneers,…
(Civic) Myths over (Religious) Markets: Defending the National Day of Prayer
[Cross-posted to In Medias Res] I don't often disagree with my old friend Michael Austin, partly because he's much smarter and much better read than I, and partly because he's…
You Know You’re Middle Aged When…
“Every age of life has its own characteristics: boys are feeble, youths in their prime are aggressive, middle-aged men are dignified, old people are mature. Each one of these qualities…
Localist Roundup: Robot Handshake
In political news, President Obama is facing low approval rating. Meanwhile, this piece describes the growing popularity of urban rooftop farming. In other news, Pope Francis has captured further attention…
Derby Time
Louisville, Kentucky. It's Derby time here. If you have business to do with someone in Louisville this week, don't expect a quick reply. I have always run hot and cold…
Something Better than a Giant
This Christmas my daughter bought for me a CD of Welsh hymns, folk songs, and patriotic anthems, sung by the burly baritone Bryn Terfel. He's a tremendous performer, apparently renowned…
The Meritocracy Reaches Kindergarten
My title isn't saying anything new, unfortunately; highly competitive private kindergartens and pre-k programs have long since dotted the wealthier (and more paranoid) corners of the United States, as well…
“Standard Oil” Catholicism
Berwyn, PA. The American Conservative has just published the online version of my review of Suitable Accommodations, a selected letters of the Catholic fiction writer, J.F. Powers. Powers' stories still…
Localist Roundup: Atlantic-Heavy Roundup
According to this piece, the White House has received a petition to "abolish the capitalist mode of production." Meanwhile, Los Angles experiments with preset park kits. In this article, an…
In the Heart of the Empire, a Tiny Garden Grew
This wonderful essay--a sad, reflective, but also hopeful one--tells the story of Michelle Obama's long forgotten (by most people, anyway) backyard garden initiative, and the local farmer (the father of…